Discover Sławno: churches, city gates and routes

Sławno: city history and routes

Sławno is in the eastern part of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the Sławno Plain and in the catchment area of the Wieprza and Moszczenica rivers. A stay here offers several distinct areas of interest: sacred architecture, historic gates, cultural history and routes for walking or cycling. You can plan around these themes individually or combine them as you find your way around. Its location between the plain and the river system places Sławno within the region; churches, gates and routes provide specific local points of reference for your stay.

Churches and medieval city gates

The Church of St Mary is the largest building in Sławno. Duchess Zofia, the wife of Barnim IV, founded it between 1326 and 1364. The Church of St Anthony of Padua adds a much later chapter: it was built in the Neo-Gothic style between 1925 and 1928. Together, the two churches offer a comparison between a medieval foundation and a 20th-century building. If you are interested in the city’s architectural history, you can explore different periods without implying that the buildings date from the same era.

The freestanding city gates also each have a clear connection to a particular place. The Brama Koszalińska is first mentioned in 1453. It stands on Jedności Narodowej Street, near Basztowa Street, in the southern part of the historic city. The Brama Słupska is first mentioned in 1458; it is at the intersection of Basztowa and Skłodowskiej streets, north of the Market Square and near the bridge over the Moszczenica. The first recorded mentions are only five years apart, but the gates mark different points in the cityscape. These dates refer to the first mentions, not the years the gates were built.

Regional history and cultural events

At the initiative of Joanna and Zbigniew Kluszczyński, a museum room was established in Sławno’s cultural centre. It was intended to introduce visitors to regional history and commemorate 700 years of town rights for Sławno. This connects a broader perspective on the region with a specific milestone in the city’s history. Alongside the churches and city gates, it offers another way to explore the history of the place: the focus is not only on individual buildings, but also on the memory of regional history and town rights.

The region’s cultural heritage also includes events that attract visitors from beyond the area, including the International Festival of Brass Bands. It takes place annually on set dates. In 2022, it was held for the 52nd time; its history dates back to 10 June 1969. These details distinguish a specific edition from the festival’s longer history. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the dates for the relevant edition: dates and programme may vary.

Routes and getting around

The Pomorska Droga św. Jakuba passes through Sławno. In addition, nearly three kilometres of cycling routes encircle the city. The route runs from Kościelna Street, past the municipal gymnasium and stadium, along Kąpielowa Street and as far as the Park of the Polish Military Organisation. These details offer two different points of reference: a route that passes through Sławno and cycling routes that encircle the city along a nearly three-kilometre stretch. Before setting out on a specific bike ride, it is a good idea to check the route, as infrastructure can change.

Sławno’s Regional Tourist Information Centre is located in the PKP railway station building and provides information about accommodation and dining. The station was built in the western part of the city in the 1860s. The building thus brings together practical information for your stay and a historic railway station; you can ask there about accommodation and dining.

Discover more destinations: Cisowo, Żukowo, Stary Jarosław, Bobolin, Pieszcz, Pęciszewko, Dąbki, Postomino.

For the main travel overview: Sławno.